Kimi Antonelli Makes History with Second Consecutive Victory at Japanese Grand Prix

Posted : 30 March 2026

Kimi Antonelli continued his meteoric rise in Formula 1 by claiming victory at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver secured his second consecutive win, following his maiden triumph in China, to move to the top of the world championship standings. Antonelli finished the 53-lap race at Suzuka with a comfortable 13.7-second lead over McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

The Italian teenager’s race did not begin smoothly despite starting from pole position. Antonelli suffered excessive wheelspin off the line, causing him to drop from first to sixth by the end of the opening lap. His teammate, George Russell, also struggled at the start and fell behind the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. However, the Mercedes W17 showed superior pace as Antonelli steadily fought his way back into contention.

The turning point of the race arrived on lap 24 when Haas driver Oliver Bearman suffered a high-speed 50G crash at Spoon Curve. The resulting safety car played perfectly into Antonelli’s strategy, allowing him to pit and leapfrog the early leaders. While Antonelli benefited from the timing, Russell was less fortunate, having pitted just one lap before the incident.

Following the restart, Antonelli maintained his composure to pull away from the field. Behind him, Charles Leclerc secured the final podium spot for Ferrari, finishing just ahead of a frustrated George Russell. Lando Norris took fifth place for McLaren, while Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in sixth, confirming Ferrari’s improved form compared to the 2025 season.

Max Verstappen’s difficult start to the 2026 campaign continued as the Red Bull driver could only manage an eighth-place finish. Verstappen spent much of the afternoon trailing the Alpine of Pierre Gasly, who finished seventh. The four-time world champion’s lack of pace highlights the struggle Red Bull is facing under the new technical regulations.

With this victory, Antonelli has amassed 72 points, leapfrogging Russell to lead the Drivers' Championship by nine points. At 19 years and 216 days, he is the youngest driver ever to lead the standings, breaking a record previously held by Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes also extended its lead in the Constructors' Championship, sitting 45 points clear of Ferrari.

Formula 1 now enters a five-week hiatus after the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds. Antonelli expressed his intent to use the break to improve further before the season resumes in Miami. The young star noted that while he was fortunate with the safety car, his car’s pace in clear air proved they were genuine contenders for the win.

Kimi Antonelli Makes History with Second Consecutive Victory at Japanese Grand Prix

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